HANLEY — Police are investigating reports of an armed robbery at the Hanley Hotel late Friday morning.
According to a press release issued by Saskatoon RCMP, police received the call around 11:18 a.m. on Friday. Few details about the incident were available, but police said an investigation was underway.
As a precaution, Hanley Composite School was placed in hold-and-secure mode, in which exterior doors were locked and monitored and classes could continue.
Principal Chris Tucker said the situation was not to be confused with a lockdown, but stressed that the day was continuing as normally as possible.
“Students are safe, and school’s moving on like normal for the afternoon,” he said just before 2 p.m.
He could not provide any further details, referring media inquiries to Prairie Spirit School Division, which had been notified of the situation.
Police stated that parents and community members were asked not to attend the school due to the situation.
More details would be reported as they became available, police stated.
Premier Brad Wall listens to parts manager Cory Zastrizny at Young’s Equipment, Ltd., during his visit to Davidson on Tuesday.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — While Premier Brad Wall acknowledges his government’s record isn’t perfect, on one issue he’s content to pass the buck: the weather.
Asked upon his arrival in Davidson whether he’d brought the snow and cold wind with him, the premier quipped, “That’s the federal government.”
Wall visited the area on Tuesday, meeting with local officials in Davidson and Kenaston, and touring several area businesses, as well as the Distance Learning Centre.
Speaking to the Leader, he offered his thoughts on several topics, including the recent federal election, in which the Liberal Party received a decisive majority.
Wall said he believed his government and the outgoing Conservatives had accomplished lots together, even if they didn’t agree on everything, but added he wants to work effectively with the new government and Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau.
He said he had spoken to Trudeau briefly by telephone following his victory, noting that he was around the same age as the new PM when he was first elected premier in 2007.
“As long as we have our priorities right, all the other priorities seem to be clearer,” he observed.
Wall said he had met with Wascana MP Ralph Goodale, the province’s sole Liberal MP, on Monday. He also said he hopes to meet with Trudeau once he and his cabinet have been sworn in to discuss some issues of importance, including the Liberals’ pledge to boost infrastructure spending across the country.
While much of that money will target specific areas like green infrastructure, social projects and public transit, Wall said he hopes some funding will be available to address needs in Saskatchewan towns and villages.
Accompanied by Arm River-Watrous MLA Greg Brkich, the premier first visited Kenaston, meeting with Mayor ML Whittles and Reeve Murray Kadlec of the RM of McCraney.
He then travelled to Davidson, where he met with Mayor Clayton Schneider, Bladworth Mayor Ron Bessey, RM of Willner Reeve Len Palmer, and Coun. Doug Gregor, representing the RM of Arm River.
Wall said he was meeting informally with local officials to determine priorities, noting that the greatest municipal issue across the province is infrastructure, with continued growth placing higher demand on aging systems.
He also visited several businesses in Davidson, including Young’s Equipment, Western Sales and Fast Toys for Boys, meeting employees and talking briefly with managers.
At the latter business, he accepted an invitation by president Terry Dieno to visit a nearby hangar to check out “Lou IV,” a P-51D Mustang fighter plane flown during the Second World War.
Dieno purchased the famous model several years ago and is having it painstakingly rebuilt, estimating the current progress at around 75 per cent.
The premier got a close-up look at the Mustang, peering into the cockpit, and also enjoyed touring Dieno’s collection of vintage Pontiac GTO muscle cars.
Wall said paying for infrastructure, health care, education and other needs requires a broad tax base, explaining, “We need a strong economy to pay for all those things.”
For the full story, please see the Nov. 2 edition of The Davidson Leader.
The Hanley Sabers’ Tareq Halabi (21) heads toward the end zone with LCBI’s Matthew Kemp (87) in hot pursuit.
By Joel van der Veen
HANLEY — A decisive win over the LCBI Bisons means the Hanley Sabers are headed to provincial quarter-finals.
The second-place Sabers hosted the third-place Bisons in the 1A six-man conference consolation game on Oct. 24 before a large hometown crowd, dominating from the first quarter onward and ultimately finishing with a score of 88-52.
The high-scoring match offered plenty of opportunities for Hanley’s offence to shine, though LCBI certainly was no slouch in that area either.
Quarterback Tareq Halabi scored three touchdowns in the opening quarter, giving Hanley a 22-14 lead at its close.
The first minutes of the second quarter saw back-to-back touchdowns by Colten Olyniuk and Tareq Halabi, allowing the Sabers to extend their lead beyond the Bisons’ reach.
Coach Mark Anderson said the team’s strong physical game was a major factor in developing that lead, bringing the score to 52-36 at the halfway point.
Second-string quarterback Conor Prosofsky had an impressive run later in the game. He also made a major contribution throughout as the team’s placekicker, cementing the win with a successful string of conversions.
“He sure throws a beautiful ball,” observed Anderson, recalling that Prosofsky had also stepped in during the Sabers’ previous match with the Bisons.
The Hanley coach complimented LCBI’s athletes but noted that having to work both offence and defence proved exhausting: “You can see the toll it takes on them by the endof the game.”
On his team’s defensive end, Anderson had particular praise for the efforts of Marshall Prosofsky and Liam Maley. He added that the Sabers would need to tighten up defensively in preparation for the quarter-final.
“It’s great to score points,” he said. “It’s nice to prevent points as well.”
For the full story, please see the Nov. 2 edition of The Davidson Leader.
Pictured above are the members of the Davidson-Loreburn RaiTec senior girls volleyball team. Seen, from left, are Jamie Sarich, Brianna Jess, Emily Read, Lynzey Sanden, Kaitlyn Baldwin, Karissa Rendall, Jackie Losie, Tori Rendall, Jacey Sanden, Madelyn Vollmer, Miranda Farrell, Gracie Allan, Kaitlyn Glubis, Breanna Shaw and Jessica Matheson.
By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — It’s seven in a row for the RaiTec senior girls volleyball team, but don’t think of calling it a lucky streak.
Rather, said manager Sandra Baldwin, it’s a combination of skill, consistency and commitment that has helped the team achieve so much success this season.
“We are able to set the pace for a game, and then maintain that pace,” she said. “They’re willing to work hard and stay focused.”
The RaiTec team — a co-op between Davidson and Loreburn — has won seven tournaments in a row, starting with a home tournament held the weekend of Sept. 11 and 12.
This was followed by wins in Porcupine Plain, Beechy, Assiniboia, Hanley and Humboldt, and culminated with a victory at a tournament in Outlook on the weekend of Oct. 23 and 24.
The RaiTec team includes six Grade 10 players, three from Grade 11 and five Grade 12s. Baldwin said the mix of ages has contributed to a healthy balance.
She also said the girls have stood firm even when falling behind, continuing to play their game, chipping away and, more often than not, coming out with a win.
The older players have brought strong leadership, while Baldwin said the team has a “deep bench” with all players displaying strengths.
Tony Baldwin, who coaches the team along with teacher Karen McConnell and intern Hallie Vollmer, said he’s excited about the team’s success for several reasons.
“These girls are at least as strong as they were last year,” he said, adding that he’s pleased to see the two schools coming together co-operatively.
For the full story, please see the Nov. 2 edition of The Davidson Leader.
Molly Rose Reich passed away at the Davidson and District Health Centre on Oct. 27, 2015.
Molly was born on March 27, 1914 on the Herauf farm, near Davin, Sask. east of Regina. Her parents Joseph and Florence raised 15 children, seven boys and eight girls. Molly, being the fourth oldest, had a lot of house and farm chores at a very young age. The love of singing this family shared will be remembered for many generations. At the age of 11 Molly joined the choir at St. Peter’s Colony. On Jan. 22, 1934 she married Valentine Reich at the Colony. They then farmed in the Craik and Davidson area, moving into Davidson in 1948. They raised two sons and two daughters and shared 50 happy, loving years together.
Molly loved singing at family gatherings, the Catholic Church Choir, the Seniors Centre and the Sweet Adelines. She bowled, curled, loved playing cards and bingo and was a 60-year member of the Catholic Women’s League.
Molly is survived by her children: Ron (Beada) Reich of Davidson, Norbert (Elaine) Reich of Davidson, Shirley (Bruce) Leier of Girvin, Valerie (Reg) Saunders of Nelson, B.C.; 19 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren and 23 great-great-grandchildren; sister Rose Selinger, sister Irene Ell, brother Jimmy Herauf, sisters-in-law Pauline Herauf; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Molly was predeceased by her parents, husband Valentine, her sisters Nellie Drewold, Katie Ell, Margaret Selinger, Odelia Becker, Teresa Tachauer, her brothers Frank, Tony, Jacob, Simon, Celest, Clement, grandson Colin Reich and her great-grandchild Aaron Campbell.
Molly’s prayer service will be held Monday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Davidson. Molly’s funeral service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. For friends so wishing, memorial donations in her memory may be made to Davidson and District Health Foundation or the charity of your choice.
Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.
